After a long pause to proceedings obliged by the Covid-19 pandemic, the time is finally nigh for the inaugural Northern Talent Cup to take to the track. The first step towards getting the NTC in gear came at Jerez, where Brad Binder – KTM’s first premier class race winner – helped out in the engine and chassis lottery to match the NTC field to their machinery, and now it’s time for the riders to get up to speed with their KTMs during a two-day test at Oschersleben from the 29th to the 30th of August.
Over the two days, 12 sessions of 30 minutes each will make sure to field have more than enough time to get ready to race, with track action beginning bright and early each morning at 8:00 (GMT +2). The focus will be on rider and machine too, as Oschersleben isn’t a venue the NTC will return to for a race weekend. That takes the pressure off the timesheets a little, with a reset likely for Round 1 at the Sachsenring from the 7th to the 8th of September.
The test is about more than just track time, however - it’s also chance for riders and teams to work together in the paddock environment for the first time, and for the whole NTC paddock to start to get to know each other. That also includes the class of 2020 meeting their rider coach, Dani Ribalta, who will be mentoring them throughout their time in the Cup. The goal is, after all, to win... but it's also to learn, improve and make a step forward in their careers.
The newest project on the #RoadtoMotoGP, there’s plenty to be excited about as the Northern Talent Cup begins. 23 riders representing 10 countries are set to saddle up in the inaugural Cup, and their Road to MotoGP™ begins at Oschersleben. Make sure to stay up to date on northerntalentcup.com, motogp.com and across social media as we get ready to race!